Current status (at January 2010)

A2 2009 to include Annex ZB which confirms that this Standard gives a presumption of conformity to the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC as well as 98/37/EC.

Definitions

The term “group packing machine” which is used widely in Germany is a convenient term to describe this group of machines, although in the UK “end of line packaging machines” is more commonly used. Clause 3 gives a name and description for each of the machines considered in the Standard and illustrates their method of operation with isometric drawings.

Clause 3 also defines the typical terminology used when discussing these machines like corrugated board, wraparound tray, blank magazine and pressure sensitive tape.

Injuries caused by group packaging machines

Clause 4 of the Standard identifies the injuries that can be caused by each type of group packaging machine. The injuries most often caused by group packaging machines are:

crushing by transport and pushing mechanisms

drawing-in by conveyor belts

impact from robot mechanisms

burning by hot melt adhesive and hot melt application equipment

Safety principles established by this Standard

Blank magazines

Clause 5.3.2 establishes the principle that tray or case blanks in magazines can be considered as part of the guarding provided there is a device to stop the machine before the last few blanks are taken from the magazine, exposing the danger zone.

Requirements for case tapers

The Standard identifies four groups of case taping machines for which different safety requirements apply:

manually adjusted machines

self-adjusting machines with no flap tucking mechanisms

manually adjusted machines with flap tucking mechanisms

fully automatic machines

Place pack/unpack machines

Clause 5.5 describes the requirements for case packing machines. This Clause was amended in 2007 to improve the provisions to reduce the risk of products falling on operators during a machine intervention and in the event of a power failure.

Discharge openings on machines

The discharge and in some cases infeed openings on group packaging machines can be big enough for a person to crawl through. However this Standard establishes the principle in Clause 5.2.2.1.4.3 that where such an opening is associated with a conveyor the risk of someone crawling into the machine through such an opening is not significant and so it is unnecessary to apply the protection devices typically used on the openings which are large enough to walk through on palletizers and pallet wrapping machines.

Hot melt adhesive systems

Clause 5.2.10.5 describes the detailed requirements necessary to protect against the burning hazards presented by pressurized and unpressurized hot melt adhesive systems including the need for thermal insulation, warning pictograms and guards to prevent overspray of pressurized adhesive.

Power hold

EN 415-7 recognizes that an increasing number of wrapping machine use servo and other electronically controlled drive motors where it may not be possible to disconnect power to these drives during an operator intervention because of the risk of the mechanisms moving relative to each other. Clause 5.2.8.3 describes the precautions that must be taken if a “power hold” system is used including the integrity of control circuits and the need for movement monitoring during the operator intervention.

Means of access

Clause 5.2.2.3.3 that if steps or a platform are needed for operating or cleaning a group packaging machine, e.g. to load the blank magazine, this means of access must be provided by the machine manufacturer.

IP rating appropriate for the method of cleaning

Clause 5.2.3.1.5 includes a table to help ensure that the degree of protection of electrical enclosures is appropriate for the cleaning method used on the machine. For instance if the machine is cleaned with a damp cloth a rating of IPx4 is appropriate, but if low pressure running water is used the protection rating must be IPx5.

Effects of the Standard

Case tapers are now being manufactured in a large number of countries and the market for these machines is now very competitive. At present it is evident that some machines are less safe than others and so it is to be hoped that this standard will encourage all manufacturers to make machines with equivalent standards of safety.